Central Michigan mercied by Buffalo in Mid-American Conference Tournament, now faces elimination game against Kent State

By Morning Sun Sports

Thursday, May 8, 2014

AKRON, Ohio — The sixth-seeded Central Michigan University softball team was mercied 12-1 in five innings Thursday by No. 2 seed Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference Tournament hosted by Akron.

Central Michigan (33-21) only managed two hits in the win and trailed 7-0 before notching its only run in the fourth on an RBI single by Evelyn Lorimer in the fourth inning, scoring CarolAnn Sexauer.

Rachael Knapp (14-5) started for the Chippewas and surrendered five runs in the second inning, giving up a solo home run to Hayley Barrow and a three-run homer by Sammi Gallardo during the frame.

The Bulls tacked on two more runs in the fourth to make it 7-0 prior to the lone CMU run, while another five-run inning in the fifth helped close the door on the Chippewas.

Knapp lasted 1 2/3 innings and allowed five earned runs on three hits with one strikeout and two walks. Morgan Yuncker gave up two earned runs on no hits with one strikeout and three walks in relief. Chelsea Sundberg allowed all five runs in the fifth (none earned) and walked three while striking out one.

Lauren Bowman and Lorimer had the only hits for Central Michigan. Brittney Horan, Trista Cox and Knapp all drew walks.

The Chippewas will meet fourth-seeded Kent State at 11 a.m. Friday in an elimination game.